determine whether or not the patient needs an adjustment.
Instrumentation in chiropractic is a diagnostic tool similar to the use of a blood pressure gauge. The blood pressure gauge in itself isn't curative but it lets the doctor know how the body's plumbing system is functioning, whether the pressure is up or down, so he can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Chiropractic instrumentation determines the level of the vertebral subluxation or bone misalignment and the required frequency of their adjustment. The x-ray tells us how to fix it.
---Not flat on your back
Very often our patients confuse the old adage "flat on your back" as actually lying flat on your back when you have back pain. In fact, the best way to position yourself is either on your right or left side, not your stomach or back. That has a tendency to take out the primary and secondary curves of the spine and puts more pressure on the discs and nerves. So when you are instructed to stay down, the correct position is lying on your right or left side in the fetal position, with a small pillow between your knees.
Now I know it is very uncomfortable to watch television this way, but one of our patients who was recently afflicted with sciatica made this suggestion: Just simply turn the television set on its side. That way she could watch it more comfortably without tipping her head.
Do You Or Any Of Your Friends Use A